Bears in Nevada City, California

Our time spent in Nevada City was wonderful and fairly uneventful until one afternoon…

Susan was in the kitchen getting dinner ready and Lee was busy reading or recreating in our living area. A loud crash alerted us to something big going on outside. It was too late in the day for the garbage truck. As we looked out we were surprised to see a mama bear and two cubs scrounging for food. Lee’s first impulse was to get out the camera but on second thought, maybe he should lock the door. Once secure, the camera was in action for dozens of snaps. It was just about dinner time and Susan began to cook up some fish. We didn’t consider how much those bears might have liked to have dinner with us but it was too late. I guess they never caught a whiff of dinner or they would have knocked on the front door.

After a while, they continued with their forging to a point where we began to wonder if they would ever leave. Not only were the cubs able to climb into the trash bin, but eventually mama bear joined them as well. This all took place only 10 yards or so from our windows.

Finally a small dog nearby barked and they took off as though there were a pack of wild dogs after them.